RFID temperature device and method

ABSTRACT

A remote communication device, that receives temperature indicia concerning a container and/or its contents and communicates such temperature indicia along with an identification indicia to a reader. The remote communication device can measure and communicate temperature indicia associated with a container in a periodic manner. The remote communication device can also measure and communicate temperature indicia associated with a container when such temperature indicia exceed a certain minimum or maximum threshold temperature. The remote communication device can also include power circuitry to store energy when energized in the range of an interrogation reader so that the remote communication device can be powered for temperature indicia measurements when not in the range of an interrogation reader.

RELATED APPLICATION

[0001] This application claims priority and the benefit of U.S.Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 60/378,384 filed May 7, 2002,which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] It is often necessary to monitor the temperature of containersand materials contained within containers that are manufactured in anddistributed through a manufacturing or shipping facility. Creation ofcertain materials, such as liquids or chemicals, often require thatcertain factors in the environment in which they are created arecontrolled in a stringent manner to ensure that the materials arecreated properly and with the necessary quality. Variables in theenvironment, such as temperature, can have a substantial bearing onwhether or not the materials are being manufactured properly anddistributed in the proper manner.

[0003] In particular, the temperature of either the container itself orthe materials contained in the container needs to be ascertained duringthe distribution and/or shipping process to ensure that the correctenvironment temperature is being maintained. It may be that a precisetemperature at a particular point in the distribution channel isrequired, or that the environment temperature remains within a certainacceptable range. For example, if the container is a keg containingbeer, the temperature of the beer may need to be at a certain specifictemperature or within a certain temperature range to ensure that thebrewing process and/or subsequent transport of the beer is performedaccording to specifications for the process and quality control.

[0004] Another problem is that the temperature of the container and/orits contents is manually ascertained in certain processes. In suchprocesses, an operator must measure the temperature of either eachcontainer or a sample of its contents to ensure that it is proper.Because distribution facilities distribute large volumes of containers,it is usually not feasible for an operator to check each containerand/or its contents for temperature. Instead, operators test samples. Aswith all sampling methods, there is chance for error. The samplemeasured may have the correct temperature, but another sample that wasnot measured may not have the correct temperature.

[0005] There exists a need for a communication device to be associatedwith the container that can measure the temperature of the containerand/or its contents and to remotely communicate this temperature duringthe distribution process. In order to properly communicate thetemperature associated with a particular container, it is also necessarythat the remote communication device be able to communicate anidentification indicia to identify a particular container from others.The remote communication device associated with the container wouldcross the range of an interrogation reader along the distribution and/orshipping process whereby temperature indicia and/or an identificationindicia associated with the container can be communicated.

[0006] Temperature measurements may need to be made periodically by theremote communication device so that the temperature is measuredthroughout at various times. The temperature measured may need to becommunicated immediately or simply be recorded in the remotecommunication device for a later historical analysis.

[0007] Temperature measurements may need to be made to determine whetheror not the temperature associated with a container exceeds a certainlevel or falls below what is required. If the temperature is above anacceptable maximum level or the temperature falls below an acceptableminimum level, the materials contained within the container may besubstandard. This information is communicated so that this particularcontainer can be pulled from distribution or further inspected forquality and acceptability.

[0008] Yet another problem exists in that the remote communicationdevice may not have its own power source. If a remote communicationdevice does not have its own power source, such as a battery, and it isnot in the range of an interrogation reader such that it is energizedfor energy, the remote communication device cannot perform temperaturemeasurements that are required when the remote communication device inoutside the range of an interrogation reader. For example, periodictemperature measurement may be required at times when the remotecommunication device is not in the range of an interrogation reader.Temperature readings below a minimum threshold and/or above a maximumthreshold may occur at any time and not just when the remotecommunication device is in the range of an interrogation reader.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0009] The present invention relates to a remote communication devicethat receives temperature indicia concerning a container and/or itscontents and communicates information such as the temperature indiciaand/or an identification indicia to an interrogation reader. The remotecommunication device can be attached to a container so that thetemperature sensor measures temperature indicia about the container orits contents.

[0010] The remote communication device includes a control system,wireless communication electronics, and a temperature sensor. Thecontrol system manages the operations and control of the remotecommunication device and receives temperature indicia measured by thetemperature sensor. The control system comprises control circuitry formanaging the operations of the remote communication device and memoryfor storage of information such as temperature indicia. The wirelesscommunication electronics are adapted to facilitate communicationbetween the remote communication device and an interrogation reader topass such communications to the control system. The wirelesscommunication electronics can also receive communications from thecontrol system to be communicated remotely to an interrogation reader.

[0011] In one embodiment of the present invention, communication oftemperature indicia and/or an identification indicia between theinterrogation reader and remote communication device is achieved whenthe interrogation reader emits an electronic signal through an antenna.If the remote communication device is in the range of the signal, itswireless communication electronics decipher the message and send it tothe control system for handling. If the remote communication device doesnot have its own power source, the remote communication device cancommunicate back to the interrogation reader by altering theinterrogation reader's electronic signal.

[0012] In another embodiment, the remote communication device includespower circuitry that stores power when the remote communication deviceis in the range of the interrogation reader. Since some remotecommunication devices do not have their own power source, the energystored in the power circuitry allows the remote communication device toprovide its own energy to measure temperature indicia at times when theremote communication device is not in the range of the reader.

[0013] The remote communication unit may determine the temperature ofthe container and/or its contents by including a temperature sensor orproviding temperature sensing techniques.

[0014] In a first temperature sensing embodiment, a temperature sensoris provided in thermal contact with the container and/or its contents.

[0015] In another temperature sensing embodiment, the remotecommunication device may include a discharge capacitor determinetemperature of the container and/or its contents by measuring thedischarge of energy stored by the remote communication device in thedischarge capacitor during a given period of time.

[0016] In another temperature sensing embodiment, the interrogationreader is able to determine the temperature of the remote communicationdevice and correlate it to the temperature associated with the containerand/or its contents by determining a frequency at which the remotecommunication device has maximum energy absorption relative to acalibrated frequency rate for maximum energy absorption at a knowntemperature.

[0017] In a first mode of operation, the remote communication device canbe configured to receive temperature indicia from the temperature sensorperiodically so that temperature indicia associated with the containeris known for different points in time in the past. The remotecommunication device can be configured to communicate the periodictemperature indicia immediately or store the periodic temperatureindicia in memory for later communication.

[0018] In a second mode of operation, the remote communication devicecan be configured to communicate temperature indicia from thetemperature sensor only if a threshold temperature setting is exceeded.A minimum and/or maximum temperature setting is configured such that theremote communication device communicates a threshold occurrence wheneither the temperature indicia received from the temperature sensorexceeds the maximum temperature setting or falls below the minimumtemperature setting or both.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0019]FIG. 1 is a schematic of a remote communication device and aninterrogation reader for the preferred embodiment;

[0020]FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the container for the preferredembodiment;

[0021]FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of a power circuit for a remotecommunication device for the preferred embodiment;

[0022]FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of the transponder arrangement todetermine temperature using a discharge capacitor;

[0023]FIG. 5A is a schematic diagram of the discharge capacitortemperature technique for a constant temperature;

[0024]FIG. 5B is a schematic diagram of the discharge capacitortemperature technique for a variable temperature;

[0025]FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of a container ID byte andconfiguration data byte for the preferred embodiment;

[0026]FIG. 7 is a flowchart of general operation for the preferredembodiment;

[0027]FIG. 8 is a flowchart for the remote communication devicecommunicating to an interrogation reader for the preferred embodiment;

[0028]FIG. 9 is a flowchart of the periodic operation for the preferredembodiment;

[0029]FIG. 10 is a flowchart of the threshold operation for thepreferred embodiment; and

[0030]FIG. 11 is a schematic of a tracking system for containers havingassociated with them remote communication devices.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0031] Referring now to the drawings in general, it will be understoodthat the illustrations are for the purpose of describing the preferredembodiment of the invention and are not intended to limit the invention.

[0032]FIG. 1 shows a remote communication device, generally designated10, and the interrogation reader, generally designated 30, according tothe present invention. The interrogation reader 30 containsinterrogation communication electronics 32 and an interrogation antenna34. A signal 36 is sent through the interrogation antenna 34 by theinterrogation communication electronics 32. The remote communicationdevice 10 contains wireless communication electronics 12 comprisingcommunication electronics 14 and an antenna 16. The remote communicationdevice 10 also contains a control system 20 that contains controlcircuitry 22 and memory 24. The wireless communication electronics 12and control circuitry 22 are operatively associated with each other tofacilitate communication between the two. The remote communicationdevice 10 additionally includes a temperature sensor 26 thatcommunicates temperature indicia 27 to the control system 20. Lastly,the remote communication device 10 contains power circuitry 18 thatstores energy when the remote communication device 10 is in the range ofthe interrogation reader 30 and provides power to the wirelesscommunication electronics 12, control system 20, and temperature sensor26 when the remote communication device 10 is not in the range of theinterrogation reader 30.

[0033] In the preferred embodiment, the remote communication device 10is a radio frequency transponder. One of ordinary skill in the art willunderstand that there are many other different types of remotecommunication devices 10 that allow wireless communication, and thepresent invention is not limited to any one particular type. The remotecommunication device 10 is usually made of some type of plastic or otherpackaging having within it the control system 20 and wirelesscommunication electronics 12. The temperature sensor 26 may also becontained within the remote communication device 10 packaging itself orit may be external to the remote communication device 10. The antenna 16may either be external or incorporated internally to the remotecommunication device 10.

[0034] The control system 20 is an integrated circuit or other type ofmicroprocessor or micro-controlled electronics that controls thesubstantive operations of the remote communications device 10. Thecontrol system 20 is connected to the wireless communication electronics12 to communicate and receive transmissions to and from an interrogationreader 30. The control system 20 is also able to store and retrieveinformation to and from memory 24. The control system 20 and wirelesscommunication electronics 12 in the preferred embodiment are provided inthe same integrated circuit package, but one of ordinary skill in theart will recognize that they do not have to be.

[0035]FIG. 1 also depicts how communication is achieved with the remotecommunication device 10. The interrogation reader 30 through itsinterrogation communication electronics 32 and interrogation antenna 34communicates to the remote communication device 10 by emitting anelectronic signal 36 or other command modulated in a frequency throughthe interrogation antenna 34. The interrogation antenna 34 may be anytype of antenna that can radiate the modulated signal 36 through amagnetic field 28 or other electronic communication field so that acompatible device such as a remote communication device 10 can receivesuch signal 36 through its own antenna 16. The signal 36 is a messagecontaining information and/or specific instructions for the remotecommunication device 10. When the antenna 16 is in the presence of themagnetic field 28 emitted by the interrogation reader's 30 antenna 34,the wireless communication electronics 12 are energized therebyenergizing the remote communication device 10. The remote communicationdevice 10 remains energized so long as its antenna 16 is in the magneticfield 28 of the interrogation reader 30. The wireless communicationelectronics 12 demodulate the signal 36 and send the message containinginformation and/or specific instructions to the control system 20 forappropriate actions. The remote communication device 10 communicatesback information to the interrogation reader 30 by altering the contentsof the signal 36.

[0036] Alternative forms exist for communication with a remotecommunication device 10. For example, the remote communication device 10could have a transmitter that is powered by the remote communicationdevice's 10 own power source to send information to the interrogationreader 30 without having to use the signal 36 as a means forcommunication. The remote communication device 10 in the preferredembodiment contains power circuitry 18 that allows the remotecommunication device 10 to store and use its own energy to transmit itsown signal when not in the range of an interrogation reader 30. It isunderstood to one of ordinary skill in the art that there are othermanners in which to communicate with a remote communication device 10,and that the present invention is not limited to the particular mannerdescribed above.

[0037]FIG. 2 shows the preferred embodiment of a container 40 that hasassociated with it the remote communication device 10. In the preferredembodiment, the container 40 is a keg and it contains a specific type ofliquid 42, beer; but the container 40 could contain any type of liquidor material desired. The remote communication device 10 is attached tothe container 40 so that information specific to the container 40,including temperature indicia about the materials contained in thecontainer 40 and/or the container ID, may be communicated to theinterrogation reader 30 when requested and the antenna 34 is the rangeof the signal 36.

[0038]FIG. 3 depicts specifically how the power circuitry 18 is arrangedin the preferred embodiment. The present invention allows the remotecommunication device 10 to perform even when the antenna 16 is not inthe range of the signal 36. The remote communication device 10 includespower circuitry 18 that stores energy when the antenna 16 is in therange of the signal 36. When the antenna 16 is not in the range of thesignal 36, the remote communication device 10 can continue to operateoff of the energy stored by the power circuitry 18.

[0039]FIG. 3 shows the preferred manner in which the remotecommunication device 10 implements power circuitry 18 to accomplish theaforementioned function. It will be understood to a person of ordinaryskill in electrical arts that there are other ways to provide the samepower circuitry 18 functionality. The remote communication device 10switches power received by the antenna 16 from a rectifier 80 to thereservoir capacitor 84. The remote communication device 10 pulses theswitch 82 between the rectifier 80 and the reservoir capacitor 84thereby allowing the remote communication device 10 to have power whenin the presence of the interrogation reader 30 while also allowing thereservoir capacitor 84 to be charged. When the remote communicationdevice 10 is not in the presence of the interrogation reader 30, theremote communication device 10 receives its power from the energy storedin the reservoir capacitor 84.

[0040] The remote communication device 10 has the ability to receivetemperature indicia and relay such temperature indicia and anidentification associated with the container 40. Temperature indiciadetermination of the container 40 and/or its contents 42 may beaccomplished in different manners. The temperature sensor 26 may becontained within the remote communication device 10, or external to theremote communication device 10. The remote communication device 10 is inthermal contact with the container 40 and/or its contents 42. As thecontainer 40 moves through a facility during storage or processing, thetemperature indicia may be obtained by a combination of direct andindirect readings. In any temperature indicia determination method, thetemperature indicia of the contents 42 may be communicated to theinterrogation reader 30 when desired.

[0041] Temperature Technique 1

[0042] The remote communication device 10 can determine temperatureindicia associated with the container 40 by directly measuring thetemperature of the container's liquid contents 42 or indirectly bymeasuring the temperature of material in thermal contact with the liquidcontents 42 or the ambient temperature associated with the container 40.In order for the control system 20 to receive the temperature indiciafor the temperature sensor 26, the remote communication device 10 musthave a power source.

[0043] Temperature Technique 2

[0044]FIG. 4 illustrates one design for determining temperature indiciahaving an antenna coil 16 that is temperature unstable. The temperatureunstable antenna coil 16 absorbs energy from the interrogation readerfield 28 at a rate relative to the temperature of the remotecommunication device 10. A capacitor 107, known as a discharge capacitor107, is connected in parallel with the remote communication deviceconnections to the antenna coil 16. A load is placed in series betweenthe antenna coil 16 and the discharge capacitor 107. When the remotecommunication device 10 is in the presence of the interrogation readerfield 28, the discharge capacitor 107 is charged. The remotecommunication device 10 determines how much charge is applied to thedischarge capacitor 107 and stores it in memory 24. As the container 40moves away from the interrogation reader field 28, the remotecommunication device 10 internally keeps track of the elapsed timebetween the charging of the discharge capacitor 107 and the presenttime. The discharge rate in the discharge capacitor 107 during the timethe container 40 is away from an interrogation reader 30 is related totemperature. For example, the discharge rate of the discharge capacitor107 at different temperatures may be measured as follows. Temperature(Celsius) Discharge Rate 10 degrees 0.2 micro Amperes 20 degrees 0.4micro Amperes

[0045] When the remote communication device 10 is interrogated by theinterrogation reader 30 at a second point, the charge left on thedischarge capacitor 107 is used to determine an average temperatureduring the journey.

[0046] Using the integrated discharge rates for the discharge capacitor107 shown above, the discharge capacitor 107 of 0.1 Farads is charged to1 Volt at time zero during the remote communication device's 10 firstpoint of interrogation at an interrogation reader 30. Fifty hours later,the remote communication device 10 is interrogated again by a secondinterrogation reader 30, at which time the remaining charge is 0.064Coulombs.

[0047] Charge in Coulombs (Q) is equal to the capacitance (C) in Faradstimes volts (V) as shown below:

[0048] Q=CV

[0049] Current (I) equals charge (Q) divided by time (t). Assuming alinear current to time ratio, current (I) is equal to the capacitance(C) times collective the initial voltage applied to the capacitor attime zero (Vzero) minus the measure voltage of the capacitor at a timein point later (Vt) divided by time (t) in seconds as shown below:sand  back  to  annotation

[0050] In the particular example above, capacitance C is 0.1 Farads. Theinitial voltage is 1 Volt. The voltage fifty hours later (Vt) is 0.64Volts. Time (t) is fifty hours, which is 180,000 seconds. Applying theformula above, current (I) is measured to be 0.2 micro Amperes, whichrelates to a 10 degree temperature based on the temperaturecharacteristic of the discharge capacitor 107 used for this particularexample. If the same discharge occurred over a period of twenty-fivehours, the current (I) would be equal to 0.4 micro Amperes, whichrelates to a 20 degree temperature based on the temperaturecharacteristic of the discharge capacitor 107 used for this particularexample.

[0051]FIGS. 5A and 5B show the same discharge technique described abovefor determining temperature indicia associated with the container 40.Again, the capacitance of the discharge capacitor 107 is 0.1 Farads, theinitial voltage is 1 Volt, and the discharge time is fifty hours or180,000 seconds. FIGS. 5B and 5C show a graphical representation ofdischarge time versus temperature with the X-axis representing dischargetime, and the Y-axis representing amperage and its correspondingtemperature that is constant. The total charge (Q) taken from thedischarge capacitor 107 is represented by the area under the graph thatis the same as the integration of it. In the present example in FIG. 5A,the discharge time is fifty hours and the voltage measured at fiftyhours is 0.36 Volts. Using the formula above, the current (I) or theintegrated area equaling 0.2 micro Amperes equaling 20 degrees Celsius.Similarly, FIG. 5B shows a fifty hour discharge time with a 0.18 Voltsreading at fifty hours equaling a 0.1 micro Amperes equaling 10 degreesCelsius.

[0052]FIG. 5B is a graphical representation of a variable temperatureduring the container's 40 journey. In this example, the total current(I) or integrated area can be compared against a quality factor that isbased on time. For example, if the acceptable quality is represented bya total area of less than 0.15 micro Amperes per hour over a fifty hourdischarge, a comparison could be made to the actual integrated area todetermine if the calculated current (I) is below the 0.15 micro Amperesper hour maximum rating to determine if the derived temperature isacceptable. Similarly, it may be desired that the temperature beacceptable if the area is not more or less than a percentage of anacceptable quality or that it is above a minimum acceptable quality.

[0053] With the aforementioned technique for temperature determination,the temperature sensing method is performed without external devices tothe remote communication device 10 itself and is therefore particularuseful for the present invention in which the remote communicationdevice 10 is mounted inside the ball 26.

[0054] Temperature Technique 3

[0055] Another technique for sensing the temperature is referred toherein as the energy absorption technique. The first step is determiningthe frequency at which the remote communication device 10 absorbsmaximum energy from the field 28 called the maximum energy absorptionfrequency. This technique can be used to determine the temperature ofthe container 40 at interrogation points when the remote communicationdevice 10 is being interrogated by an interrogation reader 30. Thistechnique does not apply to temperature determination while thecontainer 40 is in transit between various interrogation points.

[0056] Absorption of energy at a certain frequency is related to thetemperature at which the remote communication device 10 is operating.Operating frequency is defined as:${Frequency} = \frac{1}{2\quad \pi \quad ( {L\quad C} )^{1/2}}$

[0057] L represents the inductance of the antenna coil 16, and Crepresents the capacitance of the capacitor 107. At initialization ofthe remote communication device 10, the interrogation reader 30 emitsvarying frequencies to determine the maximum energy absorptionfrequency. During the initialization, the temperature is known byinterrogation reader 30. Once the maximum energy absorption frequency isdetermined, the interrogation reader 30 communicates the actualtemperature being measured by the interrogation reader 30, along withthe maximum energy absorption frequency of the remote communicationdevice 10, to the remote communication device 10 for storage in memory24. The interrogation reader 30 can determine the maximum energyabsorption frequency of the remote communication device 10 in a numberof ways, such as determining when there is a voltage drop at the antenna34 of the interrogation reader 30.

[0058] At a later point in time when the remote communication device 10is within the interrogation reader field 28, the interrogation reader 30interrogates the remote communication device 10 and determines itsmaximum energy absorption frequency at that time again. Theinterrogation reader 30 also retrieves the calibrated temperature andmaximum absorption frequency previously stored within the remotecommunication device 10.

[0059] A temperature can be determined as a function of the maximumoperation frequency of the remote communication device 10. Acharacteristic curve between the maximum energy absorption frequenciesof the remote communication device 10 and temperatures is calculated andloaded into the interrogation readers 30 before operation. Once maximumenergy absorption frequency is determined, the interrogation reader 30matches it with the corresponding temperature. A look-up table may beprovided in the remote communication device 10 that correlates a maximumenergy absorption frequency with a particular temperature.

[0060] There are other methods that can correlate the maximum energyabsorption frequency to the temperature of the remote communicationdevice 10 that are known to one of ordinary skill in the art, and thepresent invention is not limited to any one particular method.

[0061] There are two basic modes of operation in which the remotecommunication device 10 can receive temperature indicia from thetemperature sensor 26: periodic and threshold.

[0062]FIG. 6 contains a schematic of the container ID 52, theconfiguration data 54, and the threshold temperature setting 50. Thecontainer ID 52, the threshold temperature setting 50, and theconfiguration data 54 are each a byte in the memory 24 in the preferredembodiment. The container ID 52 contains a unique identification indiciathat can be communicated by the remote communication device 10 to aninterrogation reader 30 to uniquely identify the container 40 that theremote communication device 10 and temperature indicia 27 measured areassociated with. The configuration data 54 contains the specificconfiguration about the manner in which the remote communication device10 is to operate with respect to temperature measurements received bythe control system 20 from the temperature sensor 26. The thresholdtemperature setting 50 contains the temperature setting to which thetemperature indicia 27 is compared to determine if the temperatureindicia 27 has either fallen below or exceeded the desired setting,depending on the setting in the configuration data 54.

[0063] In order to configure the remote communication device 10 toperform as desired, it is necessary to store initial configuration data54 and container ID 52 by placing either the remote communication device10, before becoming associated with the container, in the range of aninterrogation reader 30 or by placing the container 10 associated withthe remote communication device 10 in the range of an interrogationreader 30 as previously discussed for data transfer. If the remotecommunication device 10 is already associated with the container 40,then the container 40 with the remote communication device 10 is placedin the range of the interrogation reader 30 to perform such operations.

[0064] Periodic temperature indicia can be received by the remotecommunication device 10 and communicated to the interrogation reader 30when the remote communication device 10 is in the range of theinterrogation reader 30 so that the temperature indicia 27 is known fordifferent points of time in the past. There are different modes ofoperation for periodic operation. The remote communication device 10transmits the periodic temperature indicia 27 so that the temperatureindicia 27 is known for different points of time in the past. Theperiodic temperature indicia 27 can also be transmitted immediately orwhen the remote communication device 10 is in the range of theinterrogation reader 30. If it is desired for the remote communicationdevice 10 to receive temperature indicia 27 on a periodic basis, theperiodic bit 60 is set to “on” or binary “1”. If periodic temperatureindicia 27 is not desired, the periodic bit 60 is set to the “off” orbinary “0”. The periodic historical bit 62 is turned “on” or set tobinary “1” if the remote communication device 10 should keep on ahistorical basis received temperature indicia 27, or is turned “off” orset to binary “0” if the remote communication device 10 should not on ahistorical basis received temperature indicia 27.

[0065] The remote communication device 10 can also be configured tocommunicate and/or store the temperature indicia 27 when it eitherexceeds a maximum or falls below a minimum threshold temperature setting50. The threshold temperature setting 50 is compared with thetemperature indicia 27 received to determine if the thresholdtemperature setting 50 has been exceeded. The configuration data 54contains three bits for threshold operation. The thresholdminimum/maximum bit 76 is set to establish whether or not the remotecommunication device 10 should determine if the temperature indicia 27has either fallen below the threshold temperature setting 50 or exceededthe temperature threshold setting 50 respectively. It should beunderstood to one of ordinary skill in the art that a remotecommunication device 10 could perform both a minimum and maximumthreshold operation and not just one or the other as in the preferredembodiment.

[0066] If the remote communication device 10 determines that thetemperature indicia 27 has fallen below the minimum or exceeded themaximum threshold temperature setting 50, then the remote communicationdevice 10 can either communicate such occurrence or store the occurrencein memory 24.

[0067] If the threshold communicate bit 72 is turned “on” or set tobinary “1”, the remote communication device 10 will continue tocommunicate the threshold crossover occurrence until the remotecommunication device 10 is in the range of an interrogation reader 30.If the threshold communicate bit 72 is turned “off” or set to binary“0”, the remote communication device 10 will not continue to communicatethe threshold crossover occurrence until the remote communication device10 is in the range of an interrogation reader 30. If the threshold storememory bit 74 is turned “on” or set to binary “1”, the remotecommunication device 10 will record a threshold crossover occurrence inmemory 24 until desired and when the remote communication device 10 isin the range of an interrogation reader 30. If the threshold storememory bit 74 is turned “off” or set to binary “0”, the remotecommunication device 10 will not continue to record a thresholdcrossover occurrence in memory.

[0068] FIGS. 7-10 contain flowcharts detailing the general operation ofthe remote communication device 10, how the remote communication device10 communicates information back to the interrogation reader 30, and theperiodic operation and threshold operations of the remote communicationdevice 10.

[0069]FIG. 7 shows the general operation of the remote communicationdevice 10. The process begins at 100. In decision 102, the controlsystem 20 determines if the wireless communication electronics 12, andin particular if its antenna 16, is in the range of the interrogationreader 30. If the answer is yes, control is passed to 104 to perform thecommunication function in FIG. 8 in step 130. If the answer is no,control is passed to decision 106. Whenever the communication operationin FIG. 8 is completed, control is also passed to decision 106 as well.In decision 106, the control system 20 determines if the periodic bit 60is set in the configuration data 54. If so, control is passed to performthe periodic function in FIG. 9 in step 170 and then returns back todecision 110 when completed. If the answer is no, control is passed todecision 110. In decision 110, the control system 20 determines if thewireless communication electronics 12, and specifically its antenna 16,is in the range of the interrogation reader 30. If so, control is passedto step 112 to perform the communication operation in FIG. 8 in step130. When completed, control is passed to decision 114. If not, thecommunication operation in 112 is bypassed and the operation goesdirectly to decision 114. In decision 114, the control system 20determines if the threshold bit 70 is set in the configuration data 54.If so, control is passed to FIG. 10 in step 200 to perform the thresholdoperation of the system. When completed, control is passed back to thebeginning to decision 102. If not, the threshold operation in FIG. 10 isnot performed and control is passed back to decision 102 at the start ofthe process.

[0070]FIG. 8 shows the communication operation of the remotecommunication device 10. The communications operation is performed inthe general operation in FIG. 7 in steps 102, 110 after both theperiodic operation 106 and the threshold operation 114 are performed. Instep 130, the wireless communication electronics 12 are energized due tothe antenna 16 being in the range of the interrogation reader 30 and itssignal 36. In step 132, the power circuitry 18 is powered by the controlsystem 20 switching the power received by antenna 16 between the remotecommunication device 10 and the reservoir capacitor 84. Next, in step134, the control circuitry 22 establishes communication with thewireless communication electronics 12. In step 136, the control system20 determines if the temperature sensor 26 has failed. If it has, thecontrol circuitry 22 sends the indication of the temperature sensor's 26failure to the wireless communication electronics 12 in step 138 and thewireless communication electronics 12 communicates the temperaturesensor's 26 failure in the return signal 36 to the interrogation reader30 in step 150. Control is then passed back to the general operation inFIG. 7 in step 106/114. If the temperature sensor 26 has not failed instep 136, step 140 is performed whereby the control system 20 determinesif temperature indicia 27 is being requested by the interrogation reader30 through its signal 36. If so, the control circuitry 22 retrieves thetemperature indicia 27 from the temperature sensor 26 in step 142. Instep 146, the control circuitry 22 sends the temperature indicia 27 tothe wireless communication electronics 12. The control circuitry 22 alsosends the container ID 52 stored in memory 24 to the wirelesscommunication electronics 12 in step 148; and in step 150, the wirelesscommunication electronics 12 communicate with the container ID 52 andthe temperature indicia 27 received from the temperature sensor 26 tothe interrogation reader 30 through the return signal 36. Control isthen returned back to the general operation in FIG. 7 in step 106/114.If the temperature indicia 27 is not requested in decision 140, theprocess goes to decision 144 to determine if the temperature indicia 27is to be sent out. The control circuitry 22 determines if anytemperature indicia 27 stored in memory 24 should be communicated to theinterrogation reader 30. If so, step 146 provides that the controlcircuitry 30 sends the temperature indicia 27 received from thetemperature sensor 26 to the wireless communication electronics 12. Instep 148, the control circuitry 22 sends the container ID 52additionally to the wireless communication electronics 12. In step 150,the wireless communication electronics 12 communicates both thetemperature indicia 27 stored in memory 24 and the container ID 52 inthe return signal 36 back to the interrogation reader 30. Control isreturned back to the general operation in FIG. 7 in step 106/114depending on the entry point into the communication operation in FIG. 7.If the temperature indicia 27 is not stored to be sent out in decision144, control is returned back to FIG. 7 in step 106/114.

[0071]FIG. 9 contains the periodic operation of the remote communicationdevice 10. At step 170, the control circuitry 22 sets an action item toreceive temperature indicia 27 from the temperature sensor 26 at a pointlater in time. In decision 172, the control circuitry 22 determines ifthe time to receive the temperature indicia 27 has expired. If theanswer is no, control is passed back to decision 172, and the inquiry indecision 172 is repeated again. If the time has expired in decision 172,the process moves to step 174, and the control circuitry 22 receives thetemperature indicia 27 from the temperature sensor 26. In decision 176the control circuitry 22 determines if the temperature sensor 26 hasfailed. If the answer is yes, control is passed to step 178 to returnback to general operations in FIG. 7 in step 110 so that the failure canbe communicated to an interrogation reader 30 when a remotecommunication device 10 is in its range. If the temperature sensor 26has not failed in decision 176, control is passed to decision 180, andthe configuration data 54 is checked to see if the periodic communicatebit 64 is set or the periodic historical bit 62 is set. If the periodichistorical bit 62 is set, control is passed to step 182 whereby thetemperature indicia 27 is stored in memory 24; control is then passedback to the general operations in FIG. 7 in step 110. If in decision 180the periodic communicate bit 64 is set, control passes straight to step184 to return back to the general operations in FIG. 7 in step 110 sothat the temperature indicia 27 is communicated by the remotecommunication device 10 to the interrogation reader 30 when in itsrange.

[0072]FIG. 10 shows the threshold operation of the remote communicationdevice 10. In step 200, control circuitry 22 receives the temperatureindicia 27 from the temperature sensor 26. Next in decision 202, thecontrol circuitry 22 determines if the temperature sensor 26 has failed.If so, control is passed to step 204 whereby process is returned back tothe general operations in FIG. 7 in step 102 so that the temperaturesensor's 26 failure can be communicated by the remote communicationdevice 10 to an interrogation reader 30 when in its range. If the answerto decision 202 is no, indicating that there is not a temperature sensor26 failure, control is passed to decision 206 whereby the control system20 determines if the threshold minimum/maximum bit 76 is set for minimumor maximum. If the minimum/maximum threshold bit 76 is set to maximum,control is passed to decision 208 whereby the control system 20determines if the temperature indicia 27 has exceeded the maximumthreshold stored in the threshold temperature setting byte 50. If it hasnot, process control is passed back to step 200 to continue thresholdoperation. If it has, control is passed to decision 212. Likewise, if indecision 206 the minimum/maximum threshold bit 76 is set to minimum, thecontrol system 20 determines if the temperature indicia 27 has fallenbelow the minimum threshold setting by comparing it to the thresholdsetting byte 50. If it has not, control is passed back to step 200 tocontinue threshold operation. If it has, control is passed to decision212. In decision 212, the control system 20 determines if the thresholdoccurrence should be stored in memory 24. If so, step 214 stores thetemperature indicia 27 in memory 24, and control is passed back to 216to general operations in FIG. 7 in step 102 so that the storedtemperature indicia 27 in memory 24 can be communicated by the remotecommunication device 10 to interrogation reader 30 when in its range. Ifin decision 212 the control system 20 determines that the thresholdstore memory bit 74 is set, control is passed to step 216 to return backto general operations in FIG. 7 in step 102 whereby such temperatureindicia 27 will be communicated by the remote communication device 10 toan interrogation reader 30 when in its range.

[0073]FIG. 11 illustrates a particular tracking system in whichcontainers 40 that contain remote communication devices 10 can betracked with corresponding identification indicia, such as a containerID 52, and temperature indicia 27 through an environment such asmanufacturing, distribution, or shipping facility. For example, theremote communication device 10 connected to container 40 could pass afirst interrogation point 250 that includes an interrogation reader 30.When the container 40 and its associated remote communication device 10is in the presence of the interrogation reader 30, a message istransferred concerning temperature indicia 27 and the container ID 52.This process continues as the container 40 moves to a secondinterrogation point 252, a third interrogation point 254, a fourthinterrogation point 256, and so on to a last interrogation point 258.

[0074] A central control system 260 is provided that centrally maintainsthe information received from the interrogation readers 40 concerning acontainer's 40 particular container ID 52 and temperature indicia 27 andmonitors the movement of the container 40 through the facility. Theinformation received by each of the interrogation readers 40 may beforwarded to the central control system 260 either through direct wire,LAN connection, or other communication network. There are otherimplementations of tracking systems that are apparent to those ofordinary skill in the art. The present invention is not limited to thepreferred manner described above.

[0075] There are other manners in which that preferred embodiment of thepresent invention can be implemented that are obvious to one of ordinaryskill in the art. As such, the present invention is not limited to theparticular manner of the preferred embodiment.

What is claimed is:
 1. A device for measuring information associatedwith a container, wherein a remote communication device is attached tothe container for measuring the temperature associated with thecontainer and communicating identification indicia and temperatureindicia associated with the container to a reader, said devicecomprising: (a) a remote communication device attached to the container,said remote communication device including a control system and wirelesscommunication electronics; (b) a temperature sensor operativelyassociated with said remote communication device; and (c) said controlsystem adapted to receive temperature indicia associated with thecontainer from said temperatures sensor and to communicate saidtemperature indicia and an identification indicia associated with thecontainer to an interrogation reader through said wireless communicationelectronics.
 2. The device of claim 1, wherein said control systemreceives temperature indicia periodically.
 3. The device of claim 2,wherein said control system keeps a history of said periodic temperatureindicia and communicates said history of said periodic temperatureindicia to said interrogation reader at a later time.
 4. The device ofclaim 2, wherein said control system communicates said periodictemperature indicia immediately when said remote communication device isin the range of said interrogation reader.
 5. The device of claim 1,wherein said control system receives temperature indicia when it exceedsa threshold setting.
 6. The device of claim 5, wherein said thresholdsetting is a maximum threshold setting.
 7. The device of claim 5,wherein said threshold setting is a minimum threshold setting.
 8. Thedevice of claim 5, wherein said control system stores said temperatureindicia in excess of a threshold setting and communicates saidtemperature indicia in excess of a threshold setting stored to saidinterrogation reader at a later time.
 9. The device of claim 5, whereinsaid control system communicates said temperature indicia in excess of athreshold setting immediately when said remote communication device isin the range of said interrogation reader.
 10. The device of claim 1,wherein said remote communication device includes a power circuitry tostore energy when in the range of said interrogation reader to power tosaid remote communication device when said remote communication deviceis not in the range of said interrogation reader.
 11. The device ofclaim 1, wherein said remote identification device determines saidtemperature indicia due to said temperature sensor being in thermalcontact with the container.
 12. The device of claim 1, wherein saidremote communication device includes a temperature unstable antenna coiland a discharge capacitor associated with said remote identificationdevice to determine temperature indicia associated with the container.13. The device of claim 12, wherein said interrogation reader chargessaid discharge capacitor at a first time instant wherein said remoteidentification device determines the remaining charge of said dischargecapacitor at a second time instant to determine temperature indiciaassociated with said identification device based remaining charge ofsaid discharge capacitor.
 14. The device of claim 12, wherein saididentification device uses a lookup-table to correlate remaining chargeto said temperature indicia.
 15. The device of claim 12, wherein saididentification device uses a characteristic curve to correlate remainingcharge to said temperature indicia.
 16. The device of claim 12, whereinsaid identification device communicates said temperature indicia to saidinterrogation reader if the remaining charge is below a predeterminedvalue.
 17. The device of claim 12, wherein said identification devicecommunicates said temperature indicia to said interrogation reader ifthe remaining charge is above a predetermined value.
 18. The device ofclaim 1, wherein said interrogation reader determines a maximum energyabsorption frequency of said remote identification device to determinesaid temperature indicia corresponding to said energy absorptionfrequency of said remote identification device.
 19. The device of claim18, wherein said interrogation reader uses a look-up table to correlatesaid maximum energy absorption frequency to said temperature indicia.20. The device of claim 18, wherein said interrogation reader uses acharacteristic curve to correlate said maximum energy absorptionfrequency to said temperature indicia.
 21. The device of claim 1,wherein said control system detects a failure in said temperature sensorand communicates said failure when said remote communication device isin range of said interrogation reader.
 22. A device for measuringinformation associated with a container, wherein a remote communicationdevice is attached to the container for measuring a temperature indiciaassociated with the container and communicating the identificationindicia and the temperature indicia associated with the container to aninterrogation reader, said device comprising: (a) a container; (b) aremote communication device attached to said container, said remotecommunication device including a control system and wirelesscommunication electronics; (c) a temperature sensor operativelyassociated with said remote communication device; and (d) said controlsystem adapted to receive the temperature indicia associated with saidcontainer from said temperature sensor and to communicate thetemperature indicia and an identification indicia associated with saidcontainer to an interrogation reader through said wireless communicationelectronics.
 23. The device of claim 22, wherein said control systemreceives the temperature indicia periodically.
 24. The device of claim23, wherein said control system keeps a history of said periodictemperature indicia and communicates said history of said periodictemperature indicia to said interrogation reader at a later time. 25.The device of claim 23, wherein said control system communicates saidperiodic temperature indicia immediately when said remote communicationdevice is in the range of said interrogation reader.
 26. The device ofclaim 22, wherein said control system receives the temperature indiciawhen it exceeds a threshold setting.
 27. The device of claim 26, whereinsaid threshold setting is a maximum threshold setting.
 28. The device ofclaim 26, wherein said threshold setting is a minimum threshold setting.29. The device of claim 26, wherein said control system stores thetemperature indicia in excess of a threshold setting and communicatessaid stored temperature indicia in excess of a threshold setting to saidinterrogation reader at a later time.
 30. The device of claim 26,wherein said control system immediately communicates the temperatureindicia in excess of a threshold setting when said remote communicationdevice is in the range of said interrogation reader.
 31. The device ofclaim 22, wherein said remote communication device includes a powercircuitry to store energy when in the range of said interrogation readerto power said remote communication device when said remote communicationdevice is not in the range of said interrogation reader.
 32. The deviceof claim 22 wherein said remote identification device determines thetemperature indicia due to said temperature sensor being in thermalcontact with said container.
 33. The device of claim 22, wherein saidremote communication device includes a temperature unstable antenna coiland a discharge capacitor associated with said remote identificationdevice to determine the temperature indicia associated with saidcontainer.
 34. The device of claim 33, wherein said interrogation readercharges said discharge capacitor at a first time instant wherein saidremote identification device determines the remaining charge of saiddischarge capacitor at a second time instant to determine thetemperature indicia associated with said identification device based onthe remaining charge of said discharge capacitor.
 35. The device ofclaim 33, wherein said identification device uses a lookup-table tocorrelate remaining charge to the temperature indicia.
 36. The device ofclaim 33, wherein said identification device uses a characteristic curveto correlate remaining charge to the temperature indicia.
 37. The deviceof claim 33, wherein said identification device communicates thetemperature indicia to said interrogation reader if the remaining chargeis below a predetermined valve.
 38. The device of claim 33, wherein saididentification device communicates the temperature indicia to saidinterrogation reader if the remaining charge is above a predeterminedvalve.
 39. The device of claim 22, wherein said interrogation readerdetermines a maximum energy absorption frequency of said remoteidentification device to determine a liquid temperature indiciacorresponding to said energy absorption frequency of said remoteidentification device.
 40. The device of claim 39, wherein saidinterrogation reader uses a look-up table to correlate said maximumenergy absorption frequency to the temperature indicia.
 41. The deviceof claim 39, wherein said interrogation reader uses a characteristiccurve to correlate said maximum energy absorption frequency to thetemperature indicia.
 42. The device of claim 22, wherein said controlsystem detects a failure in said temperature sensor and communicatessaid failure when said remote communication device is in range of saidinterrogation reader.
 43. The device of claim 22, wherein saidtemperature sensor measures the temperature indicia concerning a liquidcontained inside said container.
 44. The device of claim 43, whereinsaid liquid is beer.
 45. A device for measuring temperature associatedwith a container, said device comprising: (a) a remote communicationdevice attached to the container, said remote communication deviceincluding a control system and wireless communication electronics; (b) atemperature sensor operatively associated with said remote communicationdevice to transmit a temperature indicia periodically to said controlsystem; and (c) said control system adapted to communicate saidtemperature indicia to an interrogation reader through said wirelesscommunication electronics.
 46. The device of claim 45, wherein saidcontrol system keeps a history of said periodic temperature indicia andcommunicates said history of said periodic temperature indicia to saidinterrogation reader at a later time.
 47. The device of claim 45,wherein said control system communicates said periodic temperatureindicia immediately when said remote communication device is in therange of said interrogation reader.
 48. The device of claim 45, whereinsaid control system additionally communicates an identification indiciaassociated with the container to said interrogation reader.
 49. Thedevice of claim 45, wherein said remote communication device includes apower circuitry to store energy when in the range of said interrogationreader to power to said remote communication device when said remotecommunication device is not in the range of said interrogation reader.50. The device of claim 45, wherein said remote identification devicedetermines said temperature indicia due to said temperature sensor beingin thermal contact with said container.
 51. The device of claim 45,wherein said remote communication device includes a temperature unstableantenna coil and a discharge capacitor associated with said remoteidentification device to determine said temperature indicia associatedwith said container.
 52. The device of claim 51, wherein saidinterrogation reader charges said discharge capacitor at a first timeinstant wherein said remote identification device determines theremaining charge of said discharge capacitor at a second time instant todetermine said temperature indicia associated with said identificationdevice based remaining charge of said discharge capacitor.
 53. Thedevice of claim 51, wherein said identification device uses alookup-table to correlate remaining charge to said temperature indicia.54. The device of claim 51, wherein said identification device uses acharacteristic curve to correlate remaining charge to said temperatureindicia.
 55. The device of claim 51, wherein said identification devicecommunicates said temperature indicia to said interrogation reader ifthe remaining charge is below a predetermined valve.
 56. The device ofclaim 51, wherein said identification device communicates saidtemperature indicia to said interrogation reader if the remaining chargeis above a predetermined valve.
 57. The device of claim 45, wherein saidinterrogation reader determines a maximum energy absorption frequency ofsaid remote identification device to determine a liquid temperatureindicia corresponding to said energy absorption frequency of said remoteidentification device.
 58. The device of claim 57, wherein saidinterrogation reader uses a look-up table to correlate said maximumenergy absorption frequency to said temperature indicia.
 59. The deviceof claim 57, wherein said interrogation reader uses a characteristiccurve to correlate said maximum energy absorption frequency to saidtemperature indicia.
 60. The device of claim 45, wherein said controlsystem detects a failure in said temperature sensor and communicatessaid failure when said remote communication device is in range of saidinterrogation reader.
 61. A device for measuring temperature associatedwith a container, said device comprising: (a) a remote communicationdevice attached to the container, said remote communication deviceincluding a control system and wireless communication electronics; (b) atemperature sensor operatively associated with said remote communicationdevice to transmit a temperature indicia when in excess of a thresholdsetting to said control system; and (c) said control system adapted tocommunicate said temperature indicia to an interrogation reader throughsaid wireless communication electronics.
 62. The device of claim 61,wherein said control system stores said temperature indicia in excess ofa threshold setting and communicating said temperature indicia to saidinterrogation reader at a later time.
 63. The device of claim 62,wherein said control system communicates said temperature indicia inexcess of a threshold setting immediately when said remote communicationdevice is in the range of said interrogation reader.
 64. The device ofclaim 62, wherein said control system additionally communicates anidentification indicia associated with the container to saidinterrogation reader.
 65. The device of claim 61, wherein said remotecommunication device includes a power circuitry to store energy when inthe range of said interrogation reader to power to said remotecommunication device when said remote communication device is not in therange of said interrogation reader.
 66. The device of claim 61, whereinsaid control system detects a failure in said temperature sensor andcommunicates said failure when said remote communication device is inrange of said interrogation reader.
 67. A method of tracking a containerwherein a remote communication device is attached to the container formeasuring said temperature indicia associated with the container andcommunicating identification indicia and said temperature indiciaassociated with the container to an interrogation reader, comprising thesteps of: (a) providing a remote communication device having a controlsystem and a wireless communication electronics; (b) sensing atemperature indicia associated with the container through use of atemperature sensor; and (c) communicating said temperature indicia andan identification indicia associated with the container to aninterrogation reader through said wireless communication electronics.68. The method of claim 67, wherein step (c) further includesdetermining said temperature indicia through thermal contact betweensaid temperature sensor and the container.
 69. The method of claim 67,wherein step (c) further includes determining said temperature indiciaby determining the discharge in a discharge capacitor associated withsaid remote identification device.
 70. The method of claim 69, whereinstep (c) further includes charging said discharge capacitor at a firsttime instant and determining the remaining charge of said dischargecapacitor at a second time instant to determine said temperature indiciaassociated with said identification device based on remaining charge ofsaid discharge capacitor.
 71. The method of claim 69, wherein step (c)further includes correlating remaining charge in said dischargecapacitor to said temperature indicia by using a look-up table.
 72. Themethod of claim 69, wherein step (c) further includes correlatingremaining change in said discharge capacitor to said temperature indiciausing a characteristic curve.
 73. The method of claim 69, wherein step(c) further includes communicating said temperature indicia to saidinterrogation reader if the remaining charge is below a predeterminedvalue.
 74. The method of claim 69, wherein step (c) further includescommunicating said temperature indicia to said interrogation reader ifthe remaining charge is above a predetermined value.
 75. The method ofclaim 67, wherein step (c) further includes determining a maximum energyabsorption frequency of said remote identification device to determine aliquid temperature indicia corresponding to said energy absorptionfrequency of said remote identification device.
 76. The method of claim75, wherein step (c) further includes correlating said maximum energyabsorption frequency to said temperature indicia using a look-up table.77. The method of claim 75, wherein step (c) further includescorrelating said maximum energy absorption frequency to said temperatureindicia using a characteristic curve.
 78. The method of claim 67,wherein step (b) is performed periodically.
 79. The method of claim 67,further comprising the step of keeping a history of said periodictemperature indicia and communicating said history of said periodictemperature indicia to said interrogation reader at a later time. 80.The method of claim 67, further comprising the step of communicatingsaid periodic temperature indicia immediately when said remotecommunication device is in the range of said interrogation reader. 81.The method of claim 67, further comprising the step of receiving saidtemperature indicia when it exceeds a threshold setting.
 82. The methodof claim 81, wherein said step of receiving said temperature indiciawhen it exceeds a threshold setting occurs when said temperature indiciaexceeds a maximum threshold setting.
 83. The method of claim 81, furthercomprising the step of storing said temperature indicia in excess of athreshold setting and communicating said temperature indicia in excessof a threshold setting stored to said interrogation reader at a latertime.
 84. The method of claim 81, further comprising the step ofimmediately communicating said temperature indicia in excess of athreshold setting when said remote communication device is in the rangeof said interrogation reader.
 85. The method of claim 67, furthercomprising the step of storing energy when said remote communicationdevice is in the range of said interrogation reader to power said remotecommunication device when said remote communication device is not in therange of said interrogation reader.
 86. The method of claim 67, furthercomprising the step of detecting a failure in said temperature sensorand communicating said failure when said remote communication device isin range of said interrogation reader.
 87. The method of claim 67,further comprising the step of tracking the containers at a plurality ofinterrogation points to receive said temperature indicia and anidentification indicia associated with the container.
 88. A device formeasuring information associated with a container, wherein a remotecommunication device is attached to the container for measuring thetemperature indicia associated with the container and communicatingidentification indicia and temperature indicia associated with thecontainer to a reader, said device comprising: (a) a means for wirelesscommunication attached to the container; (b) a means for sensing thetemperature indicia associated with the container; and (c) said meansfor wireless communication communicating the temperature indicia alongwith a means for uniquely identifying the container to an interrogationreader.
 89. The device of claim 88, wherein said means for sensing thetemperature indicia is performed periodically.
 90. The device of claim89, wherein the temperature indicia is also communicated by said meansfor wireless communication if the temperature indicia exceeds athreshold setting.
 91. The device of claim 88, wherein the temperatureindicia is communicated by said means for wireless communication if thetemperature indicia exceeds a threshold setting.
 92. The device of claim88, wherein said means for wireless communication further includes ameans for powering said means for wireless communication when said meansfor wireless communication is in the range of said interrogation readerto power to said means for wireless communication when said means forwireless communication is not in the range of said interrogation reader.93. An improved container for use in a radio frequency identificationsystem for tracking containers, comprising a container for transportinga liquid and a transponder integrally mounted to said container fortransmitting unique identification indicia for use in identifying saidcontainer and the temperature indicia associated with said container,the temperature indicia reflecting the temperature indicia monitoredduring transport.
 94. The improved container of claim 93, wherein saidremote communication device is further configured to periodicallymonitor and store the temperature indicia during transport and transmitsaid stored the temperature indicia along with said identificationindicia when said remote communication device is interrogated.
 95. Theimproved container of claim 94, wherein said remote communication deviceis further configured to create a historical record of the periodicallymonitored temperature indicia and transmit said historical record whensaid remote communication device is interrogated.
 96. The improvedcontainer of claim 94, wherein said remote communication device isfurther configured to periodically determine the temperature indiciaassociated with said container during transport, determine if saidtemperature indicia is passed a defined limit and transmit a signalindicating said stored temperature indicia has past a defined limitalong with said identification indicia when said remote communicationdevice is interrogated.